£10k of savings? I’d buy these FTSE 100 bargains before they soar again

Stock market wobbles can make investors nervous. But they’re often opportunities to buy quality FTSE 100 shares at lower prices. Our writer investigates.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

The FTSE 100‘s dropped 5% in recent days, lurching back to levels last seen four months ago. But it’s not alone. Global stock markets have slumped in recent weeks on fears of a recession in the US.

But I’d note that stock market wobbles are normal and relatively frequent occurrences. According to Oxford Economics, the S&P 500‘s faced a drop of 5% or more at least once a year for the past four decades.

Bear in mind that even drops of 10% are common. So although they can be uncomfortable, investors should assume they’ll happen.

Should you invest £1,000 in Next right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Next made the list?

See the 6 stocks

As a long-term investor, stock market tumbles could be excellent buying opportunities.

It’s not without risk, but I’m keeping my eyes peeled for opportunities to add to my Stocks and Shares ISA once I save some cash.

Soaring to new heights

At the top of my list is FTSE 100 aerospace firm Rolls-Royce (LSE:RR.). I first liked this stock over a year ago when it started making progress with its multi-year transformation programme.

Despite its share price gaining over 125% in the past year, it still looks good to me. In the first half of 2024, operating profit more than doubled to £1.65bn from the prior year. That’s partly due to a jump in its profit margin, which now stands at 18.6% versus 10.6% a year before.

Much of the improvement came from its after-market service agreements. To explain, Rolls-Royce makes money by selling engines for aircraft, and then has long-term agreements to service them. The latter provides a much more lucrative cash flow and profit margin.

Reflecting the strong performance, Rolls-Royce raised guidance for 2024 and announced plans to pay a dividend for the first time since the pandemic.

Bear in mind that a part of its business is cyclical. For instance, if there was a global recession, demand for travel and its jet engines could fall. And with concerns around the US economy, it’s a point to be aware of.

That said, in the long term, I could look through this. Overall, I see it as a resilient, competitive and growing business.

Top FTSE 100 retail share

Another FTSE 100 share that’s reaching new business highs is fashion/lifestyle retail giant Next (LSE:NXT). It recently reported full-price sales for the second quarter exceeded its expectations by £42m. It also raised its profit guidance for the full year, led by additional sales and cost savings.

Next’s share price jumped 8% in reaction to this trading statement, but it has since fallen with recent market turmoil. This looks like an opportunity to me.

Next is a first-class retailer and I’d describe its shares as high-quality. For instance, it offers a whopping 31% return on capital employed, 20% operating margin and steady earnings growth. And with a price to earnings ratio of just 14 times, it’s certainly not expensive or overvalued, in my opinion.

Bear in mind that, like Rolls-Royce, it’s a cyclical business. The often-temperamental UK retail environment can result in more ups and downs in business sentiment.

That said, as a long-term investor who looks through short-term noise I could be rewarded for owning a part of an excellent business.

But here’s another bargain investment that looks absurdly dirt-cheap:

Like buying £1 for 31p

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this Share Advisor pick has a price/book ratio of 0.31. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 31p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 10%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Harshil Patel has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Rolls-Royce Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Affectionate Asian senior mother and daughter using smartphone together at home, smiling joyfully
Investing Articles

With Cash ISA changes coming, could now be the time to consider buying shares?

Changes to the Cash ISA could lead to greater investment in the stock market. This could be a good thing…

Read more »

Investing Articles

These FTSE 100 dividend shares just got cheaper, thanks to President Trump!

Investors buying dividend shares can lock in bigger long-term yields when share prices take a tumble. These two just did…

Read more »

Investing Articles

At a 52-week low but Taylor Wimpey shares are forecast to rise 35% in a year and yield almost 9%!

Taylor Wimpey shares have had a rough ride but Harvey Jones says analyst forecasts are upbeat, while there is also…

Read more »

Investing Articles

As copper prices surge, Glencore shares are a steal at 270p

Andrew Mackie believes the extraordinary dislocation occurring in copper markets will be very supportive for the Glencore share price.

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 cheap shares to consider as Trump shocks markets

Dr James Fox examines several cheap shares, on paper at least, as markets experience a broad sell-off in reaction to…

Read more »

Investing Articles

10% dividend yield! Here’s a FTSE 100 share to consider in April for passive income

This FTSE 100 stock just soared past the 10% yield mark, making it a potentially lucrative option for investors targeting…

Read more »

Young black woman using a mobile phone in a transport facility
Investing Articles

3 FTSE 100 safe haven stocks to consider as trade wars bite

I'm confident in the long-term outlook for the FTSE index of stocks. But these blue chips may protect investors from…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s how Trump tariffs could hand us some top passive income bargains

As tariff terror grips the stock market, it's time for passive income investors to steel our nerves and look for…

Read more »